5 free-agent tight ends the Panthers could sign in 2021

With many positions to address, the Carolina Panthers will have a variety of options to look at for a new tight end.

Heading into the 2021 offseason, the Carolina Panthers will need to make changes to various positions. While the quarterback spot seems to be the most popular at the moment, the team should also look at some better options at tight end to further bolster their excellent passing attack.

During the 2020 season, Ian Thomas and Chris Manhertz shared the Panthers’ starting job at tight end. As starters, they combined for a total of 197 receiving yards and one touchdown.

This low production from Carolina’s tight ends was very noticeable during this past season. Over 97 percent of the team’s receiving yards came from the running backs and wide receivers. Because of their low production on catching the ball, both Thomas and Manhertz were mainly run blockers.

The Panthers also saw edge rushers getting by their tight ends almost at will, which led to Teddy Bridgewater being sacked 31 times and pressured on 19.8 percent of his snaps over his 15 games as a starter.

Manhertz is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, while Thomas will become one next year. With that said, it may be time to make a change and bring in someone new.

The Panthers have not brought in any big free-agent tight ends in a while. This is because of the success Greg Olsen accumulated after joining the franchise in 2011. But this year was Carolina’s first season with the veteran and it didn’t exactly go according to plan.

Without furthermore, let’s take a look at five free-agent tight ends that the Panthers could target to upgrade this position.